Archery bow



Feb. 28, 1956 R. J; HOFFMAN 2,736,309

ARCHERY BOW Filed June 9, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

R .71 HOFFMAN,

Wax/72',

HTTORNE).

United States Patent ARCHERY BOW Robert John Hoffman, Glendale, Calif.

Application June 9, 1952, Serial No. 292,522

4 Claims. (Cl. 124-23) This invention relates to archery bows and has particular reference to a new and improved construction for such bows.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a more sturdy bow structure. A further object is to provide an archery bow in which may be stored a great deal more power than can be developed in a conventional bow of similar size and weight.

To this end, the invention resides in the combinations hereinafter fully described and a preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, of which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an archery bow embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 shows the bow of Fig. 1 under tension; and

Fig. 3 is a detail of construction the importance of which is hereinafter fully explained.

The device of the invention, in the particular form illustrated in the drawing, differs basicly from the conventional archers bow in that it includes two limbs, the back one of which, designated by the numeral 1, may remain substantially unchanged. The front limb 2 is at the center of the bow rigidly connected with the back limb and this portion of the bow is fitted with an enlarged hand grip 3 of any preferred conventional shape.

The front limb 2 extends from this handle portion inwardly both right and left from the center of the bow on symmetrical circular curves 4, from which the limb continues on gradually decreasing outwardly directed curves 5, 6 until a short distance from the ends of the bow it meets the inner surface of the back limb 1, to which it is rigidly secured. For the purpose of the invention, as will be explained presently, the space within the curved portions 4 of the front limb is reinforced in order rigidly to maintain this portion of the bow undisturbed during the operation of the device. The particular type of reinforcement illustrated in the drawing includes a web 8 terminating in an inwardly projecting foot 9 from which a series of radially spreading ribs 10 extend to the front surface of the curved front limb portion 4. But any other suitable reinforcement may, of course, be substituted, the essential feature being not to increase the weight of the bow more than absolutely necessary.

As mentioned in the preamble to this description, it is the main object of the present invention to provide a more powerful archery bow capable of discharging an arrow at much greater speed than is ordinarily attained and without materially increasing the weight of the device. This is accomplished by spacing the limbs far apart nearer the center of the bow by means of the reinforced portions 4. When the bow string 12 is drawn inwardly to put the bow under tension it is found that the outer ends of the portions 6 of the front limb are brought into contact with the surface of the back limb 1 and it is important to note that the front limb is so light and resilient and has so much freedom of yielding movement within this large space that this is done without noticeably increasing the force ordinarily required for such initial pull. But it is also important to note that the resistance offered by the adjacent curved portions 5 6 of the front limb gradually increases as the length of the space gradually decreases until, at the time the bow string is completely drawn, substantially as indicated in Fig. 2 the tension of the front limb is so greatly increased that the released arrow will attain a speed far in excess of that attained by a conventional bow of corresponding size and weight.

As in other archery bows, the limbs may be made from any number of strips of laminated material, such as indicated at 15, 16, 17 in Fig. 3 and, in addition, it may be beneficial to place a thin strip of metal 18 within the lamination of the middle layer of the front limb, substantially as .indicated in Fig. 3. This strip should preferably, at a position somewhat nearer the handle of the bow, be bent to form a somewhat V-shaped depression 19. It has been my experience that such reinforcement materially aids in increasing the efliciency of this novel structure.

It is seen from the foregoing description that I have provided a very sturdy and dependable bow which, in all other respects, may be constructed and proportioned like approved conventional bows. It should also be clear to anyone familiar with the art that I have provided a device which, by using only the force applied to a conventional bow of similar size will propel an arrow with at least as great power and speed and which may be placed under additional tension greatly to increase the power and speed of arrow propulsion.

But while I have herein described a preferred form of the invention, right is reserved to embody therein modifications within the scope of the claims hereto appended. It may, for example, in cases where the strip 18 is made from very thin material, be advantageous to corrugate the strip lengthwise in order to provide a reinforcement of sufficient stiffness and lightness.

What is claimed is:

1. An archery bow comprising, a front limb, and a rear limb rigidly connected to the front limb at the center and at the outer ends of the how, the front limb extending forward from the center of the bow on symmetrical curves and continuing to the outer ends of the bow on gradually decreasing rearwardly directed curves, thereby to provide unobstructed spaces wide at the inner ends thereof, the spaces gradually decreasing in width until the limbs meet at the outer ends of the bow.

2. An archery bow comprising, a front limb, and a rear limb rigidly connected to the front limb at the centerand at the outer ends of the bow, the front limb extending forward from the center of the bow on symmetrical curves and continuing to the outer ends of the bow on gradually decreasing rearwardly directed curves, thereby to provide unobstructed spaces wide at the inner ends thereof, the spaces gradually decreasing in width until the limbs meet at the outer ends of the bow, and an enlarged hand grip mounted on the bow at the center thereof.

3. An archery bow comprising, a front limb, and a rear limb rigidly connected to the front limb at the center and at the outer ends of the bow, the front limb extending forward from the center of the bow on symmetrical curves and continuing to the outer ends of the bow on gradually decreasing rearwardly directed curves, thereby to provide unobstructed spaces wide at the inner ends thereof, the spaces gradually decreasing in width until the limbs meet at the outer ends of the bow, and reinforcing ribs radially extending from the center portion of the bow to the forwardly curved portions of the front limbs.

4. An archery bow comprising, a front limb, and a rear limb rigidly connected to the front limb at the center and at the outer ends of the bow, the front limb extending 3 4 forward from the center of the bow on symmetrical curves References Cited in the file of this patent and continuing to the outer ends of the bow on grad- UNITED STATES PATENTS ually decreasing rearwardly directed curves, thereby to provide unobstructed spaces wide at the inner ends there- 1,810,335 Bal'Phart Tune 16, 1931 of, the spaces gradually decreasing in width until the 5 213611068 Sonld 1944 limbs meet at the outer ends of the bow, and an enlarged 14235765 Folbel'th et ly 9 hand grip mounted on the bow at the center thereof, and 2,664,079 Lake 1953 reinforcing ribs radially extending from the hand grip OTHE REFERENCES to the forwardly curved portions of the front hmb. Article in Amefican BoWmamReview y 1948,

10 page 4. 

